Glow Brick

The light bulb's on, but nobody's home

Description

Green or Blue

'Woo-ooo-o-o-o!' In case you're wondering, that's us trying to make a ghostie sound. Not very convincing, granted, but we guarantee you'll be unable to resist making a similar noise whenever you clap eyes on the wonderfully spooky Glow Brick.

This weird and wonderful block of acrylic is a deliciously strange piece of lighting, as it contains a disembodied phosphorescent light bulb that seems to float within its transparent surroundings. As darkness falls, the bulb begins to glow a ghostly shade of green or blue, gently bathing its surroundings in ethereal light.

Stranger still, the Glow Brick seems to be powered by phantom forces, as there's no power cord, battery box or on/off switch. But don't go jumping under the duvet in distress - this ingenious piece of mood lighting is actually solar powered. It spends the day soaking up natural light in order to gently glow by night.

By day, the Glow Brick serves as an eye-catching tabletop ornament, but by night it really has to be seen to be disbelieved. Its wraithlike, supernatural shimmer is unlike any light you've ever encountered, and its retro/modern styling is reminiscent of Fritz Lang's Metropolis or a 30s horror movie. We half expected someone to shout 'Igor, throw the switch!' when we dimmed the lights here at Castle Firebox. Especially when some joker shouted 'Yesth Maathster'.

As well as giving any room a gorgeously ambient glow - even when you're away - the Glow Brick is a great way to add atmosphere to your nocturnal shindigs, particularly if you're listening to a few chill-out tunes or telling the odd paranormal story. All together now: 'Woo-ooo-o-o-o!'